Earsham hosted local rivals Bungay Reserves and played out an entertaining 3-3 draw in front of a bumper crowd.

Manager Dave Reeder was forced into a reshuffle with both Connor Girling and Ed Nolloth not recovering from injuries.

Earsham got off to the perfect start and found themselves one up within the first minute. A low Hepburn corner wasn’t dealt with and ex-Bungay player Doughty was on hand to prod the ball home.

Things got better for the home side only five minutes later when a long throw by Edge was controlled by Smith and as he turned his man in the box, he was tripped. Flint made no mistake from the spot to score his 20th goal of the season. Flint was unfortunate not to make it 3-0 soon after when he saw his powerful shot tipped onto the bar.

Bungay pulled a goal back after 15 minutes when the ball struck Doughty on the arm from close range and the referee awarded a penalty.

As the half progressed Bungay came back into the game and it became an even contest with both sides having chances without being able to find the required finish.

The second half continued where the first had left off with the sides cancelling each other out and it wasn’t until the hour mark that Bungay scored an equaliser. A corner wasn’t dealt with in the heart of the area and the loose ball was bundled home.

Earsham were then dealt a huge blow when leading scorer Smith, just as he was put through on goal, pulled up with a hamstring injury and had to be replaced by Hall.

Despite that, Earsham took the lead with 15 minutes remaining when, after a corner was only half cleared, Hall found J Goodfellow on the left. His low cross towards the back post was missed by everyone, including the Bungay keeper, and found its way into the far corner of the net.

Bungay threw everything at Earsham in search of an equaliser and in the final minute they got one when after a free kick, the ball was played back into the box and volleyed past Honeywood with the home defenders looking for an offside flag that never came.

It was a frustrating draw for Earsham in game in which they led twice. Tomorrow they host Wymondham Town Reserves at 2.30pm.